In 2017, we heard more than ever about the opioid crisis in the United States. There seems to be bipartisan agreement that a serious problem exists, and perhaps even a bipartisan agreement on meaningful solutions. Last year, I became deeply…
Making God smile through music
During the recent Advent season, I challenged my congregation to savor the music of the holidays, and to listen with fresh ears to both the lyrics and melodies which carry our deepest longings and joys. As usual, in attempting to…
For 2018: A fervent and frightened prayer
When I think how we Christians have contributed to our own current dilemma, that’s when my prayers turn from frightened to fervent, invoking Divine assistance in “meeting Jesus again, for the first time,” to paraphrase the late Marcus Borg.
Goodbye, 2017. Won’t miss you much.
After 2017, we now see more clearly the critical work ahead of us, and each of us has a decision to make about what will happen in 2018.
Lessons learned at a kitchen sink
Slow, quiet growth will make followers of Jesus ready to act quickly in defense of the poor and vulnerable.
American Evolution: Teddy Roosevelt and our national experiment
Teddy Roosevelt’s assumptions of white supremacy changed over time. What can that tell us about the United States today?
Quietly pondering anew, what the Almighty can do
The bustle of the past few weeks slows today. It is a time of reflection and quieting the spirit. Even the relentless urge to consume begins to re-set as the year comes to a close. We realize that we are more than what we possess or give. Like Mary, we ponder what is yet to come.
Truth is stranger than fiction
We seem to wake up every day to new proofs that Twain was righter than rain.
Advent 2017: Bad news to the poor
To parody low income, impoverished people politically, ecclesiastically, theologically or pragmatically is to undermine or downright ignore the almost relentless concern offered them by the purported Good News of Christ’s gospel, especially at the season of Advent.
This Christmas, we do not proclaim ourselves
The Christmas season seems to bring out the worst (or most effective) in manipulative advertisements. These are seductive ways of viewing the world, of thinking of life, and of focusing on me.
Preaching an atonement that really is good news
A theology that that comforts the child trafficker but not the child, the exploiter but not the exploited, the sexual predator but not the victim, the rapist but not the raped, the con artist but not the conned is harmful to a world full of trafficked children, exploited people, and victims of assault and abuse.
How ‘keeping the peace’ can be an obstacle to true peace
Allegiance to Jesus’ kind of Kingdom will inevitably cause division with those who have different priorities. Peacemakers get in the way of warmongers. Justice hinders the power-brokers. Mercy impedes revenge.